Fall semester is right around the corner and many kids are gearing up to go back to school. Returning to school is an exciting time for most kids. However, for students who recently got their braces the return to school can be a stressful time. Students with new braces are going back to school wondering what the other students may think and say about them on top of having to make some serious changes to their daily routines. These changes, while seeming small at home, can be quite overwhelming at school. We’ve compiled a list of tips to help these students go back to school with confidence.

Always keep your braces care kit in your backpackTNT Orthodontics highly recommends packing your braces care kit in your backpack and bringing it with you to school, especially for kids who have recently gotten their braces. This care kit is designed to help kids get through many dreaded situations that may arise from wearing braces.

Your braces care kit should have:

Toothpaste

Toothbrush

Dental Floss

Dental Wax

Lip balm

These items will be especially helpful after lunch as braces tend to collect food. Make sure to set aside some time to brush and floss your teeth after lunch. The dental wax will come in handy if your braces start to irritate your lips, gums, or cheeks, and lip balm can help with dry and irritated lips.

Always Carry a Water Bottle to Stay HydratedStaying hydrated is important for your overall health and it helps to remove food particles from your teeth and braces. Drinking more water will also hopefully encourage kids to drink less soda or other sugary drinks that stain teeth. If your teeth get stained while wearing braces, it could result in white spots on your teeth from the brackets when your braces are removed. If you do occasionally drink soda or sugary drinks, use a straw to keep the soda away from your teeth.

Avoid certain foodsIt’s best to avoid sticky, hard, and crunchy foods because they can break or damage your hardware. Candy is very tempting, especially in school, so bring some yogurt, applesauce, and other sweet foods to satisfy those sugar cravings.

When going back to school with braces, TNT recommends getting into the habit of packing your school lunch every day. This way you can be sure that all of your lunch options are braces-friendly. We also recommend cutting your food into bite sized pieces when possible as this will reduce the amount of food that may get stuck in your braces. Cutting your food into smaller pieces will also save you time when brushing and flossing at school.

Keep a Compact Mirror AroundEating with braces can get tricky as food particles can become easily stuck between your teeth and braces. When you’re a student, food getting stuck in our teeth can be embarrassing. This situation can be avoided by keeping a compact mirror in your bag or hanging a magnetic mirror in your locker to check for stuck food a couple times throughout the day.

Wear a Mouthguard During GymAll it takes is one volleyball to the face for your braces to cause damage to your cheeks and gums. Bringing, and wearing, a mouthguard to gym class is the best way to prevent injury and ensure proper oral health. TNT Orthodontics offers special mouthguards constructed specifically to be worn with braces so you can play all the sports you want without worrying about injuring your mouth.

Returning to school with braces doesn’t have to be nerve-wracking. Just follow these simple steps and consult with your orthodontist, and you’ll be smiling with confidence!